Cheapest eSIM for UK
| Rank | Provider | Data | Validity | Price (USD) | Price per GB | Verdict | Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
50 GB | 30 Days | $23.80 | $0.48 | Best value | Get |
| 2 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
5 GB | 1 Day | $2.87 | $0.57 | Great | Get |
| 3 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
10 GB | 30 Days | $5.99 | $0.60 | Great | Get |
| 4 | Ubigi | 5 GB | 30 Days | $3.10 | $0.62 | Good | Get |
| 5 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
5 GB | 30 Days | $3.33 | $0.67 | Good | Get |
| 6 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
3 GB | 15 Days | $2.10 | $0.70 | Good | Get |
| 7 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
3 GB | 30 Days | $2.24 | $0.75 | Okay | Get |
| 8 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
3 GB | 1 Day | $2.38 | $0.79 | Okay | Get |
| 9 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
1 GB | 1 Day | $1.29 | $1.29 | Expensive | Get |
| 10 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
1 GB | 7 Days | $1.29 | $1.29 | Expensive | Get |
| 11 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
3 GB | 3 Days | $7.14 | $2.38 | Very expensive | Get |
| 12 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
1 GB | 3 Days | $2.65 | $2.65 | Very expensive | Get |
| 13 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
3 GB | 7 Days | $16.66 | $5.55 | Very expensive | Get |
| 14 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
1 GB | 15 Days | $13.23 | $13.23 | Very expensive | Get |
| 15 | MegaEsim Coupon: SUMMER10 |
1 GB | 30 Days | $26.46 | $26.46 | Very expensive | Get |
Cheapest eSIM for UK: the numbers
As of 30 August 2026, 21:31 GMT, the cheapest eSIM for UK is MegaEsim with 50 GB for 30 Days at $23.80. That is $0.48 per GB, the best rate of the 15 plans we compare from 2 providers. 15 plans include 5G. 14 support top ups. That timestamp is the exact moment of our latest price check, and the table above always shows the live order.
Which mobile networks does UK have?
Ofcom's Connected Nations 2025 report puts 5G coverage outside premises from at least one operator at 94 to 97 percent, and 5G standalone is now available to about 83 percent of the population.
- EE: EE won 11 of 15 Opensignal awards in the January 2026 UK report and its 4G network reaches 99.8 percent of the population, the highest of any operator.
- O2 (Virgin Media O2): O2 holds Opensignal's overall Coverage Experience award and its 5G standalone network reaches 70 percent of the UK population, the widest in the country.
- Vodafone: Vodafone merged with Three to form VodafoneThree in 2025, though the two networks are still measured separately, and Vodafone's own 5G availability sits at about 30 percent.
- Three: Three posts the fastest 5G speeds in the UK at a median 187 Mbps download and now sits inside the combined VodafoneThree group.
MVNOs like Lycamobile are sold at Heathrow and on the high street, and they ride the main networks, so a cheap MVNO pack gives the same coverage as its host.
The eSIM plans we compare on this page connect to:
Is 5G available in UK?
All four networks run 5G, and standalone 5G is expanding fast, led by Virgin Media O2 at 70 percent of the population and EE's 5G+ at around half. Individual operators report 5G outdoor coverage between 64 and 89 percent.
How much data do you need in UK?
Light use is about 500 MB a day. That covers maps, messages, and some browsing. Normal use with photos, social apps, and short videos runs 1 to 1.5 GB a day. Streaming and hotspot use can eat 2 to 3 GB a day. Here is what each size costs in UK right now:
eSIM or a local SIM at the airport in UK?
An eSIM is ready before you land. No queue, no shop, no handing over your passport at a counter. Data for UK starts at $23.80 on this page, which is hard for airport kiosks to beat. A local SIM still makes sense if you need a local phone number or plan to stay for months. For a normal trip, the eSIM wins on price and effort.
Setting up your UK eSIM
Buy your planYou get a QR code by email within minutes of paying.
Install before you flyScan the QR code on wifi at home. Airport and hotel wifi can be weak.
Turn it on when you landEnable the eSIM and turn on data roaming for it, then give it a minute to find the network.
Check the validity clockSome plans start counting at purchase, not at first use. Check before you buy.
Good to know before you land in UK
The UK has no SIM registration law, so no passport or ID is needed to buy a pay as you go SIM.
Heathrow has Sim Local stores, WHSmith and vending machines in arrivals, but bundles cost 35 to 45 GBP with a 15 to 20 GBP markup over the same plan in a city shop.
EE is the usual pick for rural areas thanks to the widest geographic coverage, and 4G and 5G now work in growing sections of the London Underground, with full tube coverage planned through 2026.
UK Travel eSIM FAQ
Everything you need to know about using an eSIM in UK
What is the cheapest eSIM for UK?
Right now the cheapest option ranked by price per GB is MegaEsim with 50 GB for 30 Days at $23.80. That works out to $0.48 per GB. Prices change often, so the table above always shows the current order.
Which networks will my eSIM connect to in UK?
The plans we compare connect to 3, EE, O2. The exact network depends on the plan you pick. Check the plan details before you buy if one network matters to you.
Do UK eSIMs support 5G?
15 of the 15 plans we track for UK include 5G where the local network offers it. The rest run on 4G, which is still fine for maps, calls over apps, and video.
Can I top up my UK eSIM if I run out?
Yes. 14 of the 15 plans here support top ups, so you can add data without buying a new eSIM. The rest need a fresh plan once the data ends.
Will I still receive bank SMS and OTP codes?
Yes, if you keep your home SIM active. Travel eSIMs are data only. Your phone can hold both at once, so leave your normal SIM on for SMS and use the eSIM for data. Turn off roaming data on the home SIM to avoid charges.
Do these eSIMs include a phone number or calls?
The plans we compare are data only, so there is no local number. Calls work fine over WhatsApp, FaceTime, or any app that uses data. If you need a real local number, a local SIM is the better tool.
How many GB do I need for a week in UK?
Around 3 to 5 GB covers a week of maps, messaging, and normal browsing. Heavy video or hotspot use needs 1 to 2 GB per day. Today the cheapest plan with at least 5 GB is MegaEsim at $2.87.
How we rank
Prices last checked on 30 August 2026, 21:31 GMT across 15 plans. Every plan is ranked by the true cost per gigabyte, not marketing claims. We do not take money for rankings, and providers cannot pay for a higher position. Read the full method on our how we rank page.
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